State Board of Education fields concerns about Christian bias in proposed K-12 curriculum

TEA Commissioner Mike Morath, center left, answers questions from State Board of Education members on Wednesday. Morath unveiled last month a proposed K-12 curriculum infused with biblical references., The Texas Tribune’s daily newsletter that keeps readers up to speed on the most essential Texas news.

TEA Commissioner Mike Morath said last month the curriculum as a whole — which consists of lesson plans for K-12 students and spans other subjects that don’t include religious references like math and science — is based on extensive cognitive science research and will help improve students’ reading and math scores.

Some people who spoke before SBOE members said that after reviewing some of the curriculum’s materials they found themselves questioning whether children would understand something as complicated as the Parable of the Prodigal Son, a story about sinning and repenting. Some people said they don’t see the curriculum as classical education. Chris Byrd, an attorney, said he believed Morath was making curriculum decisions based on what he felt “needs to be the truth.”

“We think it's important having the Bible and Bible characters in the curriculum as part of a well-rounded understanding of America's founding," Covey said.

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